The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs

"The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs" is a two-part BBC documentary, presented by Bill Oddie, in which a group of scientists test out the strength of dinosaur weaponry using biomechanics. The first episode determines the winner of a battle between "Tyrannosaurus" and "Triceratops", and second compares the strength of an ankylosaur and "Velociraptor".

The programmes were broadcast on BBC 1 in August and September 2005.

In the US, "The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs" was known as "Dinosaur Face-Off".

Episodes & Evidence

These are the episodes and the evidence revealed in them.

"Tyrannosaurus" VS "Triceratops"

"Tyrannosaurus"

*Evidence of head injuries on "Triceratops" indicates "Tyrannosaurus" attacked living "Triceratops".
*Using a steel "Tyrannosaurus" skull, scientists learned that "Tyrannosaurus" could easily crush a small car.
*Scientists learn that "Tyrannosaurus" could run at a maximum of 25 mph.
*Scanning an endocast from "Tyrannosaurus"'s skull, scientists theorise that "Tyrannosaurus" had a brain similar to that of a modern-day alligator.
*"Tyrannosaurus" had good vision, and a good sense of smell.
*"Tyrannosaurus" could bite through bone, at a bite force of at least 4 tons per square inch.

"Triceratops"

*Doing a crash test with an artificial "Triceratops" skull, made of resin, scientists learn that "Triceratops" probably didn't charge at predators, for its skull would likely break.
*"Triceratops" may have gored its predators.
*"Triceratops" was slower (15 mph) than "Tyrannosaurus", but more agile.

Outcome

An even match. In the episode, "Triceratops" managed to win the fight.

"Velociraptor" VS an unidentified ankylosaur

"Velociraptor"

*"Velociraptor" was only the size of a turkey.
*" Velociraptor" had feathers.
*A robotic "Velociraptor" leg provides evidence that "Velociraptor" didn't disembowel its prey.
*The fossil of a "Velociraptor" fighting a "Protoceratops" shows that the "Velociraptor" pierced the neck of its prey, possibly to stab the vital arteries or the jugular vein.
*"Velociraptor"'s wings were used for balance and agility, like an ostrich.
*Along with its claws, "Velociraptor"'s teeth were useful weapons.
*"Velociraptor" most likely hunted in small packs.
*Teeth of this dinosaur were found among its victims.
*The biomechanical claw provides evidence that the "Velociraptor" couldn't penetrate the ankylosaur's armour, when tested on a crocodile skin, it would break.

Unidentified ankylosaur

*Ankylosaur armour was similar to a crocodile's, though significantly harder.
*Young crocodiles have no armour, especially on the neck. Baby ankylosaurs were probably similar.
*A robotic ankylosaur tail shows that the tail club could break wood and bone with ease.
*This dinosaur's armour and club was used only on more threatening predators than "Velociraptor".
*In the U.S version, it was known as the Ankylosaurus.

Outcome

The ankylosaur would win, although "Velociraptor" could easily kill young ankylosaurs.

Minor Appearances

"Tarbosaurus"

*"Tarbosaurus" appears in the second episode briefly, fighting the ankylosaur, and losing.
*It was related to "Tyrannosaurus", and had almost the same bite force, which was still not enough to break the herbivore's armor.
*The top predator in the Mongolian plains.

"Protoceratops"

*Appears briefly in two fights against "Velociraptor". The first is a re-enactment of the fighting dinosaurs scene. The second has it up against two "Velociraptor" and losing.
*Its beak and bony head were powerful weapons, but because of its small size, "Protoceratops" was most likely preyed upon by many Mongolian predators.

See also

* "Jurassic Fight Club"

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/tv_radio/killer_dinosaurs/ bbc.co.uk]